Summer Camp Volunteers Needed!!!

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OSE is an eight-week intensive summer youth development program serving the community of Reservoir Hill. The goals of the SOSE are to engage on average, 60 youth ages 5 to 18 in impactful and innovative service projects aimed at alleviating issues affecting Baltimore communities. Specifically, youth explore issues related to youth in Baltimore, issues affecting Baltimore neighborhoods, and issues affecting Baltimore City as a whole. The end of the program culminates in service projects that are presented to parents, staff and volunteers.

SOSE is at no cost to youth and families and held onsite at the Center during the summer months Monday through Thursday,8:30 am to 5:30 pm with breakfast, lunch and snacks provided.

Our goals are to improve pre to post assessment scores, behavior, have consistent attendance, be socially mindful, and prevent summer learning loss.

A recent post-program survey showed that the majority of our youth reported that they like coming to the summer program, feel safe, and that they are learning in the program. When asked the most important thing they learned from SOSE, youth said: "Being responsible, keeping the earth clean, healthy living, reading and writing better, learning new words, how to make friends for life, not littering, about bullying, math," and more.

Overall, an average of 60 disadvantaged youth and their famlies living below poverty in the neighborhood of Reservoir Hill are served over the course of the eight week program.

Here is an overview of summer activities: We have guest speakers, such as Ruby Woo a beautiful pit, and her caretaker from Bmore Dogs. Youth learn how to approach and care for a dog. Each child signs a "No Harm to Animals" contract. The Maryland Zoo's Zoomobile visits with some of their animal residents with an educational interactive experience. The youth learn the importance of recycling and recycle bins. They visit the local urban Whitelock Community Farm and learn about good nutrition and the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables. Our youth work with our resident nutritionist from the University of Maryland Extension Program. Code in the Schools teach robotics, coding, how to use a 3D printer, and a drone. Our older youth participates in college readiness activities including education counseling, and Baltimore City Youth Workers receive additional financial literacy training.

Children receive customized tutoring with dedicated tutors at St. Francis. Youth will participate in daily community meetings, are involved in six possible learning clubs, which include cooking and nutrition, sports (yoga, basketball, tennis, and swimming), coding, art projects with resident artist Randi Reiss-McCormack, and more.

Youth, their families, and mentors also take field trips such as an Orioles game, Museums, Hiking, and more. Youth will be served two meals a day plus a snack through the Baltimore Housing Office of Community Services, Summer Food Service Program for children.